HELENSBURGH'S MP has welcomed a decision by Airbnb to ban most bookings of holiday accommodation during the coronavirus pandemic.

The booking platform announced on Thursday morning that it would be blocking all new bookings for stays up to at least April 18, "unless they are for key workers or other types of essential stays".

Airbnb's move comes after Argyll and Bute MP Brendan O'Hara and others heavily criticised the website after a probe revealed it was still accepting bookings for properties in the Loch Lomond area, and elsewhere, despite the government's strict instructions on 'social distancing'.

Mr O'Hara said Airbnb's handling of the issue had been "awful", and expressed the hope that their decision would help stop people flocking to the area's beauty spots over the Easter holiday weekend.

READ MORE: MP's fury after probe reveals Airbnb accepted bookings for Loch Lomond breaks despite lockdown instructions

He said: “I am delighted to have secured a ban on holiday rentals from Airbnb, which is welcome news for people across Argyll and Bute and all across Scotland.

“An outright ban on holiday bookings should have been the case from the very outset of the lockdown and I sincerely hope that Airbnb has learned lessons from their awful handling of this.

“In light of their decision, it’s now imperative that bookings taken before the ban are cancelled as a matter of urgency to protect our rural communities from the risk of the spread of coronavirus."

Airbnb's decision comes after the chief executive of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority urged people not to visit the area during the Easter weekend.

Argyll and Bute Council has also closed its car parks in Arrochar and Luss and at Duck Bay in a bid to discourage people from visiting.

READ MORE: 'Don't visit the National Park this Easter', say Loch Lomond authorities

“People should be following the clear public health advice to stay at home and avoid unnecessary travel," Mr O'Hara added.

"This includes those who are thinking of having day trips over the Easter weekend as well.

"Our local communities are deeply worried about an influx of visitors and I have been in touch with the local police about this as well.

"The message is clear; stay at home, stay safe."

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